Flood season 2010

Fargo's flood fight in a word: efficient

by Dan Gunderson, Minnesota Public Radio

Fargo, N.D. — A Fargo official says this year's flood fight has been one of the most efficient ever waged by the city.

City Administrator Pat Zavoral said the city filled sandbags ahead of time, and improved the organization of volunteer efforts to build sandbag dikes more quickly.

Zavoral said organization is the key to responding to unpredictable flooding events.

"Everyone needs to know what their role is and when they know their role and take responsibility for it, it can be very efficient," he said. "We should expect floods and know how to work with it."

The Red River is expected to crest lower that earlier predicted, sometime late Sunday. Zavoral estimates the city will spend about $3 million on this year's flood fight. Officials say none of the temporary levees have leaked.